MDRC cultivates disability pride and strengthens the disability movement by recognizing disability as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity while collaborating to dismantle all forms of oppression.

Cookie Gant Fund

Application for Cookie Gant

Please download the application below.

Donate today to the Cookie Gant Fund

Your tax-deductible contribution to Cookie's Leadership Development Fund will help support young and emerging leaders in Michigan's disability community in building their skills and commitment to our freedom. Send your contribution to:

Criteria for the Cookie Gant Leadership Fund

Activities Must:

Be consistent with MDRC values including: "Nothing about me, without me."

We encourage individuals who meet all the following criteria to apply:

Person with a Disability: Individuals who are elders who have disability characteristics but do not consider themselves to be people with disabilities will also be considered. Parents of children with disabilities are also considered. We encourage individuals not supported by agency funds (i.e. employed by an advocacy organization).

Michigan Resident

Person who will Give Back: Individuals must commit to use their gained knowledge through being involved in a significant way in systems change initiatives in Michigan.

General Selection Criteria:

Prior Approval:All conferences/trainings must be approved before the event. We strongly advise the application be received at least one month in advance.

Single Activities:One class/training will be approved at a time.

Other Funding Sources: In order to avoid supplanting other potential funding, the applicant may be referred to other funding sources. For example, the applicant may be referred to Michigan Rehabilitation Services for career building training.

Funds are Limited. There is no guarantee of funding. This fund may not always cover the entire associated costs in order to provide opportunities to as many people as possible.

About Cookie Gant Fund

About Cookie Gant

Cookie Gant was a disability activist, a performance artist, a powerful raiser of consciousness, a relentless supporter of diversity in every part of life, and a loyal and perceptive friend. Her passing was an irreplaceable loss in all of our lives.

One of Cookie's goals was to help other disability activists experience conferences and other leadership development opportunities that would make them more effective in the movement. Michigan Disability Rights Coalition has created a scholarship fund in memory of Cookie to achieve her goal.